Mid Valley Blogger: Oregon DHS and Complaints About Caseworker Failure

Typical.

When I heard Judge Daniel Murphy, speaking about "good little Democrats," I knew that his mental strength was restricted to the practice of law. Partisan statements from partisan judges, only serve to show that in a world of crap, the Republicans are the gold standard. The Democratic Party is pathetic, but the right wing is far worse, and entirely not credible.

In another court, a different judge questioned DHS quality, saying "DHS has little jurisdiction in my court."

Maybe Judge Murphy should consult with the Department Of Human Services(DHS) on ways to be even more inept, more pathetic.

After a dozen complaints, and DHS inquiries, into Kelley Forrester and her unmotherly meth use(among other complaints), one would think that DHS might get involved in the children's safety. Nope, "we are busy," they said. In an offered testimony, Jessica Wilcox(DHS caseworker) told Forrester, "Ronald Borst has told me of surveillance and photos of the young males, aged twentyish, 'hanging out' at the home at 1481 2nd."

That home is at 1481 2nd St., Lebanon, Oregon.

Wilcox declined comment for this article, but did comment initially, about my inquiries into complaints.

The latest two complaints to DHS, about Forrester, were reported by different factions of law enforcement. Lebanon Police complained, and requested DHS look into reports from neighbors, that the kids had reported abuse. The second complaint came from Rob Perkins, a Linn County Juvenile Supervisor, and was about the oldest child of both Borst and Forrester, and a recent minorish crime spree that included Unauthorized Use Of A Motor Vehicle, punishable with jail.

Ms. Wilcox, when asked by Lebanon P.D. to inspect the house in Lebanon, initially declined, saying DHS was "busy." When Wilcox finally did get around to "screening" the complaints, a process that took almost a week, and Wilcox requested Lebanon P.D. accompany her, Lebanon P.D. declined, saying "We are busy."

Apparently, after a decade of complaints, some from medical staff, others from neighbors, and still more from law enforcement, Wilcox has yet to determine anything about the drug traffic at the home on 1481 2nd in Lebanon. Nor has DHS found any evidence of other crime, saying "No other persons were at the home during the 'Welfare Check.'" Wilcox also said that the residents were informed of the time and date of the check, which explains why these folks were not there:

Wilcox, remember, also conspired with Forrester, telling the methamphetamine addict that the father of the children involved, was "watching the house and recording the traffic." Wilcox also stated the she "doesn't check email after 5p.m.," and the eight-year DHS veteran also stated that she was extremely busy, and "could not check emails when so busy."

When a state worker assigned with child protective safety, cannot attend to her emails, or even contemplate risks associated with meth, the citizens who depend on the state to safely supervise its children, should ask whether or not DHS is adequate for the taxpaying citizens who have paid for that service.

At some point, the people of Oregon should look at how we fund social services, and examine who we hire in that capacity.

A records request was met with denials from two "supervisors," who stated that they could not comment because my questions were about an "ongoing case" and the questions were too "general." Dave Purcell and Andrea Bellows, the two supervisors, offered no comment on my kids' case, nor did they comment on questions about DHS objectives , protocols, and policies.

Forrester's first involvement with DHS came in the hours after giving birth to Borst's second daughter. The hospital medical staff informed DHS of meth and narcotics in Forrester's drug analysis.

At the time, Borst had little do with Forrester, other than to inquire daily, about the health of mom and baby. Borst and Forrester were not together as a couple at this time.

DHS never followed up on the hospital's drug tests or the nurses' assessment of "poor prenatal care."

Two years later, after months of refusing Forrester's requests for living space(at Borst's house), Forrester was in fact living in Albany with Ronald Borst at the residence on SW 9th Avenue. Borst let her move in because once again, Forrester was pregnant with Borst's child(third). But at birth, Forrester represented that she lived in Lebanon and was estranged from Borst. "He is not involved," she said to hospital officials.

Forrester, again was on drugs during pregnancy and birth, and had almost no prenatal care.

Borst had spurred the only care, when he let her move in. And even then, Forrester didn't have much to do, other than to get high.

Months later, after a son was born, Borst locked Forrester out of the residence on 9th in Albany. Forrester would simply not give up the amphetamine high, and Borst severed relations with Forrester.

Simple exchanges or "visitations," at this point, became a game of payback for Forrester, and the illegal court process has been relentless. An incredible abuse of "legal instruments" has taken its toll on the court, the children, and the father of those kids.

DHS, meanwhile, has been called numerous times since. Also in the 10 years since, Forrester has been investigated for food stamp fraud, hiding crimes of sex offender Jacob Spencer, and drug traffic at her home. Law enforcement has received complaints from neighbors and school officials, as has DHS. The list of complaints and number of people complaining, is substantial.

Multiple requests to DHS, for all records pertaining to my kids, have been denied. DHS says it is an "open case." No evidence of that open case exists.

The only evidence is that the DHS unit in this case, has failed.